It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
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I love my long walks outside, and it’s been particularly delightful to walk the beach these past few days. I’m not a big swimmer; I am not a sunbather, either; no, I like to walk and explore. There are so many new and exotic sights. I love the feel of the sea breeze and to watch the ocean waves crash onto the shore. The water is cool and invigorating, washing over my feet – and that’s a thrill, too, to walk barefoot; I don’t do that when I’m walking in the woods back home.
There are very few seashells on this part of the Hilton Head beach – I feel as if that’s always been true, for as long as I have visited here. My parents retired here back in 1988, and I had many vacations here over the years, before my parents moved back north, closer to us children, in their frail elderly years. This is our first time back to visit the island since 2017, a bit of a nostalgia trip in some ways.
So, yes, back to my walks on the beach. Here, at low tide, the beach is vast and wide and flat and almost entirely soft and bare. Every now and again, you’ll come across something novel, such as a horseshoe crab or a jellyfish, beached on shore. Let me share photos of my special finds these past few days –
Check out this jellyfish – it is easily more than 12 inches in diameter, bigger than my big ol’ foot. There were several on the beach that were perfectly clear, but this one was different – I could see undigested small shrimp and other crustaceans, oh my. TMI, lol.
There are beautiful grasses and sponges in a variety of colors. I imagine these riding waves, feeling the ocean in and around their being.
Check out this strangeness. This blob was about 12 inches long, a gooey gelatinous mass. Google helped me identify it, labeling it a “sea pork.”
Last but not least, here’s my favorite sighting – I always feel as if I have visited Hilton Head, if I see a dolphin in the ocean:
Today’s our last day at the beach – let me go enjoy!
I am happy for you. I felt a tad of positive envy. You have had such wonderful walks.
Maureen, I admit to scrolling to see the pictures first. before reading. Nice pedicure! That blob thing is new to me. The family history enriches this beach trip. I’m not ready to leave the beach, even though my time at Hilton Head has been virtual via your posts. Let’s go back again soon.
Okay, now I’m just pure jealous. Those are gorgeous photos and they pull me back to HHI. When I taught there, we took our students on an Adventure Cruise around the island to see the dolphins and the island from the water. They drew maps and wrote stories about their experiences living there. I am glad you have enjoyed your time there and hope you have an amazing last day of vacation. Nothing much tops seeing dolphins.
Maureen, you brought out my inner beach spirit with your photos and words. I must admit that I never saw a blog on the beach or a jellyfish with small fish inside. The sand looks delicious. Enjoy your last day of beach bliss or if you left, the memories.
Man, what a great vacation you had! So many amazing things to look at and enjoy. I love the jellyfish with digestion in process. And the sea pork. What are these bewitching creatures!? Amazing. The beach is gorgeous. I’m so glad you got to enjoy it.